WordPress is free software. Every plugin and theme that builds on it inherits that freedom through the GNU General Public License (GPL) — the same license WordPress itself uses. This page explains what that means, why redistribution is legal, and how we operate within it.

The four freedoms

The GPL guarantees anyone who receives the software the right to:

• Use it for any purpose, on any number of sites
• Study how it works by reading the source code
• Modify it to suit their needs
• Redistribute it — including for a fee — to anyone else

These aren’t loopholes. They’re the explicit, intended terms of the license the original developers chose when they built on WordPress.

Why redistribution is legal

The GPL is a copyleft license. When a developer releases a plugin or theme that derives from WordPress’s GPL-licensed code, that derivative work must also be distributed under the GPL. This is a condition that the developer accepts the moment they build on the platform.

Because the code is GPL-licensed, anyone may redistribute it. We obtain products legitimately and pass on the same freedoms the GPL grants us — nothing is bypassed or broken to do so.

Yes, you can charge for GPL software

A common misconception is that “free software” means free of cost. It doesn’t. The GPL explicitly allows charging money for distributing software — what it forbids is restricting the recipient’s freedoms once they have it. Original developers charge for official channels: direct support, automatic updates, and their own brand. That’s a service-and-reputation model, and it’s a good one. The underlying GPL code, however, remains freely redistributable by design.

Trademarks are separate from copyright

The GPL covers the code. It does not grant rights to a developer’s brand name, logo, or trademarks — those remain the property of their owners. This is why we state clearly that we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the brands whose GPL products we distribute. We respect those marks; we simply exercise the redistribution rights granted by the GPL for the code.

What we don’t do

• No nulled, cracked, or tampered files
• No injected scripts, backdoors, or malware
• No removed attributions or stripped source code

Products are distributed unmodified from the developer’s original release. If you want the official support, premium add-on services, and direct relationship a developer offers, we always recommend buying directly from them — that’s the right call for many people, and it funds continued development.

Are you a developer with concerns?

If you’re the author of a product distributed here and have a question, a request for modification, or a concern, we’ll respond promptly and respectfully. Contact us.